‘Disaster Mental Health’

Disaster mental health is an underserved area. Lack of awareness of disaster mental health has resulted in long term suffering for survivors.

One of the factors that increase mental health needs is natural disasters. Despite the fact that most humans are resilient, it takes a long time to recover from natural disasters. When all of one’s life has been traumatically upheaved, physically, emotionally, mentally, economically through loss of life, loss of possessions, loss of livelihood, the toll on human capacity is stretched beyond the ability to cope. With predictions for more natural disasters due to climate change, it is imperative that societies address disaster mental health needs of survivors, not only in the short term but long after the disaster.

"Mental Health Is Everybody's Business......"

Disaster mental health is an underserved area. Many countries have not addressed the mental health needs of its citizens after a natural disaster. Lack of awareness of disaster mental health has resulted in long term suffering for survivors. Most people are aware of the socio-economic impact of natural disasters but not many are knowledgeable about the mental state of survivors and their struggles to get help.

Governments and non-profit organizations mostly focus on socio-economic issues and their response has made us more aware of these needs. Recently, more studies are pointing out the need to raise our awareness of the psychological and psychosocial dimensions of disasters, particularly among the most vulnerable members of society. Specifically, there is a need to raise awareness of the long term impact of trauma on mental health and well-being post natural disaster.

According to climate change studies, there will be an increase in natural disasters. Therefore, there is an urgent need to address this area of need. Raising awareness of long term challenges of mental health in recovery after devastating natural disasters focuses our attention on issues of sustainability for the environment and humans. Recent hurricanes in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Houston, Texas, and Florida emphasize the urgency of this issue.

Disaster mental health requires a multisectoral approach, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments must work together to help those in need get access to mental health care and treatment in the short and the long term. Mental health needs are prevalent long after disasters.

The goal of the D6 Project is to raise awareness of these issues and sensitize audiences to the emotional, physical, and mental pain of surviving and rebuilding after natural disasters, including the impact of Covid 19 on recovery efforts.